For those in wheelchairs, using the toilet can sometimes be a little difficult. Assistance is sometimes required when moving from one’s wheelchair to the toilet and after one is finished using the toilet. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A bidet seat can help those using wheelchairs gain back their independence and help achieve a more hygienic and complete cleaning experience. In this article we will discuss the advantages a bidet seat presents to people using wheelchairs, the features on a bidet seat that are beneficial, and which bidet seat models we recommend for people using wheelchairs.
Benefits of a Bidet Seat
A bidet seat has a list of features that can make using the toilet much easier and more hygienic for people in wheelchairs. The primary feature on a bidet seat, and one that will serve as the core function, is that of the rear wash. During a rear wash, the bidet will extend out a nozzle from which a steady stream of warm water will spray. By default, the nozzle will extend to a certain length and remain stationary during its cycle. Being that everybody’s anatomy is a little different, you may need to adjust the nozzle position forward or backward to have the spray hit the right spot.
The rear wash will help you achieve a better and more hygienic clean as opposed to wiping with toilet paper or wet wipes. Using toilet paper to wipe after having gone to the restroom, although can remove a significant amount of residue, will serve only to spread residue. This is both inefficient and unhygienic. Spraying water onto your bum is a much cleaner and efficient way to clean oneself after having gone to the bathroom. Furthermore, people in wheelchairs will also benefit from the independence a bidet seat can grant them. Instead of requiring assistance to wipe from a family member or caretaker, a bidet seat will allow wheelchair users the ability to fully clean themselves on their own.
Another core feature of a bidet seat that will be of benefit to those in wheelchairs is that of the warm air dryer. This great feature will blow warm air onto your bum after a rear wash cycle. Again, this is extremely beneficial to people in wheelchairs as the act of cleaning and drying oneself is seamless and does not require one to exert themselves; all is required is for the user to remain seated and enjoy a fresh clean and warm dry. Many bidets also have the ability to automatically start the warm air dryer upon completion of a rear wash cycle. This is useful as the mere press of a single button can initiate a wash and dry cycle, limiting the time spent pressing buttons on the remote control or side panel.
It is important to note that there is a slight learning curve when first using a bidet seat. As mentioned previously, everyone is built differently. One’s height, weight, body type, diet, and sitting position all factor in when determining how well a bidet seat will clean and dry a user. Some users only require a single wash and dry cycle while others require multiple wash and dry cycles to be fully cleaned and dried. The more you use your bidet seat the more familiar you will become with not only its functions but with how well it can clean and dry you.
Additional Beneficial Features
The rear wash and warm air dryer function are not the only features on a bidet seat that are beneficial to wheelchair users. Additional features such as a heated seat, nozzle oscillation, wide spray function, user presets, LED night light, deodorizer, wireless remote control, pulse mode, and enema function can also greatly benefit wheelchair users. A heated seat will keep your bum warm during the colder months while nozzle oscillation and a wide spray function can help you achieve a more complete and effective clean by both moving the nozzle forward and back during a wash cycle and by having the nozzle initiate a wider spray, ensuring a larger area is cleaned. User presets can also be beneficial as this feature allows two users to save their preferred settings on their bidet seat; one for a wheelchair user and the other for a guest.
Some bidet seat models even have automatic open/close seat & lids as well as automatic flushing capabilities. These features can be a godsend for wheelchair users as they can reduce the time and effort one would need to use the toilet. The automatic open/close seat & lid feature works by motion detection. When the bidet seat senses movement in front of it, it will automatically open the lid and/or the seat (you can program either the lid to rise or both the lid and the seat). When finished using the toilet, the lid and/or seat will shut after about a minute of no motion detected. The auto-flush feature works similarly. Please check the product description and feature list on each bidet seat model to ensure the model you are looking at has an automatic open/close seat & lid as well as auto flush capabilities.
Important Safety Factors to Consider
An important factor a person using a wheelchair should consider is the process of moving one’s body from their wheelchair to the bidet seat and vice versa. This shifting of the body onto the bidet seat should be done slowly and with care. The reasoning behind this is the possibility of damaging the mounting hardware holding down the bidet seat to the toilet bowl. A forceful shifting of weight onto the bidet seat can break the mounting mechanism, causing the bidet seat to possibly dislodge from the toilet. This, undoubtedly, can be dangerous and lead to injury. This is why it is imperative to slowly, and in a safe manner, transfer your body from your wheelchair to the bidet seat. Stand alone safety rails, or a type of handle bars, can help with the moving of your body onto the bidet seat.
Bidet Seats We Recommend
